On Saturday, December 19, the historic Bearsville Theater in Woodstock, NY is hosting a holiday poster art show, presented by NYS Music and PhanArt. The poster art show will feature Woodstock based artists Mike DuBois and Erin Cadigan, who will both be selling their work, as well as PhanArt, which represents a collective of poster artists from around the country. Come and buy that holiday gift for the music lover in your family, or treat yourself!
Mike DuBois will be on hand, and is one of the official poster artists for the Grateful Dead’s Fare Thee Well tour, as well as one of the official poster artists for the recent Dead & Company tour. Mike will be selling some of his highly sought after limited edition prints, and those prints will be announced on The Bearsville Theater Facebook page during the week leading up to the show.
Erin Cadigan is an illustrator whose clients include High Times Magazine, Central Park Summer Stage and Adidas. She spent decades selling her art as a vendor at Grateful Dead and Phish shows. Erin will be selling t-shirts from her THREE Erin Cadigan line, Phanart posters and art prints including her just released DRINKING ALE print. Local folks might know her best as the owner and designer of The White Dove Rockotel.
The Poster Art show will run from 4-8pm, and The Bearsville Theater bar will be serving those over 21 during that time. From 9pm until midnight or beyond, Bearsville Theater will be hosting a Good Ol’ Grateful Dead dance party for those over 21, which will be illuminated by a psychedelic light show from Delilah Rain’s Ambient Experience.
The poster show is free and open to all ages (4-8pm) and the dance party is $5 and 21+ (9pm-12am)
On a chilly Saturday, November 14, Dopapod played in the town of peace and love, Woodstock, for the first time. The small town was the stomping ground of music greats like Bob Dylan and The Band along with countless like-minded individuals who still call this town home.
Nestled between the pines about one minute outside of Woodstock is The Bearsville Theater. Visitors make themselves comfortable around a fire at the Bear Café next door. Excited fans have a craft beer and a smoke on the back porch overlooking Sawkill Creek. The building’s interior resembles a lodge: dimly lit, cozy and welcoming.
As easy as it is to completely relax, The Nth Power begin to play and immediately energize the entire venue. A mix of funk, soul, rock, R&B and gospel, the group also blends a world beat into their unique and sexy tunes. Although only having formed a few years ago at Jazz Fest in New Orleans, this band – which happens to feature drummer Nikki Glaspie, (Dumpstaphunk, Beyoncé) – could easily become the next Lettuce.
Before they even appear on stage, eerie and ominous sounds echo throughout the dark room foreshadowing what will end up being two largely prog rock heavy Dopapod sets.
Drummer Scotty Zwang appears to be his element at times, even given a literal spotlight, as one enthusiastic fan up front yells, “You’re the best drummer ever!” Guitarist Rob Compa’s fingers move as fast as a sewing machine and perfects even the most technical progressions. While often known for his sense of humor, Chuck Jones is all business providing a low and strong foundation on the bass. Eli Winderman offers extended synthesized key solos that deliver Dopapod’s often alien-like hums.
A quick glance around the room finds fists in the air and even some head banging. “Psycho Nature” embodies the quasi-metal sound Dopapod has perfected while “Sleeping Giant” provides another welcomed opportunity for vocals, even a breath from the intensity of the preceding songs.
Dopapod closes their second set with a haunting and powerful “Freight Train.” After the brief but obligatory fake-out, they return for an encore of AC/DC’s “TNT.” It is the first and only break from their overall stern demeanor on this night. Finally, to the delight of the loyal ‘Dopafam,’ they end with a satisfying “Bubble Brain.”
Dopapod’s first time playing The Bearsville Theater was sinister, energetic and intense – a stark, but welcomed contrast to the colorful tie-dye soaked village of Woodstock.
Set 1: Flipped, Priorities, Bluetooth, Upside, Weedie > Bahbi, Off the Cuff
On Sunday, September 6, 2015, Van Halen brought their massive North American tour to Bethel Woods Center For The Arts. Fans arrived early and tailgated outside in the late summer heat. Those who didn’t want to stand outside in the heat, chose to explore the Woodstock museum located right on the concert grounds. Complete with air conditioning, a cafe, and gift shop, the museum is the perfect place to explore before any show at the amphitheater.
When doors opened, people rushed inside to secure their spot on the lawn or get to their seat in time for opener Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Kenny and his band came out and played a nine song set. The night for Kenny and his band was highlighted by a fantastic cover of “Voodoo Child” by Jimi Hendrix. With a loud applause, the Kenny Wayne Shepherd band exited the stage and fans awaited Van Halen.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band
As expected, what was once a generally filled amphitheater ended up being packed house. Van Halen started the show off with “Light Up The Sky” and immediately went into “Runnin’ With The Devil”. After a battle with the flu early the week before, David Lee Roth seemed back to his old self. Although Diamond Dave gets criticized for his vocal abilities, he certainly gives it his all. After being on the road for a solid 2 months now on this tour, Van Halen seem to be rolling full force with no signs of letting up. Eddie, Wolfgang and Alex Van Halen sound near perfect and together with David Lee Roth put on a great performance.
Van Halen seems to be sticking to the same setlist every night, but without any complaints from the crowd. Mixing things up from a wide array of songs from albums such as 1984, Van Halen, Van Halen II, Women and Children First, A Different Kind Of Truth, Fair Warning and Diver Down, Van Halen has something for everyone to sing along to. With such a big catalog, Van Halen does a perfect job of mixing classics with new material as well as songs your biggest Van Halens fans may have never heard live before. Before the tour started, Wolfgang told fans that this tour would have some special songs in the setlist that haven’t been played in a long time. Sticking to his word, Van Halen put together a setlist that everyone should love. Some of the other songs that the band jammed were “Somebody Get Me A Doctor,” “Little Guitars” and “Ice Cream Man”. The beginning of “Ice Cream Man,” David Lee Roth came out onstage alone with an acoustic guitar and a harmonica. Then the rest of the band came out to finish that song together then play “Unchained.”
Eddie Van Halen And David Lee Roth
During Eddie’s guitar solo it was proven that he is human and experiences issues from time to time. Having issues with one of the effect pedals on his board, Eddie had to delay some of his licks for a moment. While trying to do the melody from “Cathedral” off Diver Down, Eddie ran into some pedal issues. While his tech came out to replace some cables and find the issue, Eddie said to the crowd, “Something is very wrong back here” to which Bethel Woods chanted Eddie. Not before long, Eddie was cranked back up to 11 and finished the solo with “Eruption” and started into “You Really Got Me”.
The night was ended with “Panama” and “Jump” off of Van Halen’s 1984 album, which turned into a giant sing along for the people of Bethel Woods Center For The Arts. Diamond Dave and the rest of Van Halen took the stage afterwards for a bow and left the crowd in high spirits. This show would have been the perfect way to end the summer for Bethel Woods Center For The Arts, but they do have one more show booked for later in September.
Eddie Van Halen
Van Halen is now working their way down south hitting up numerous states and then working their way west. The tour wraps up at the Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood, CA on October 4. You can find all the tour dates and ticket information at Van-Halen.com.
Setlist: Light Up The Sky, Runnin’ With The Devil, Romeo Delight, Everybody Wants Some, Drop Dead Legs, Feel Your Love Tonight, Somebody Get Me A Doctor, She’s The Woman, China Town, I’ll Wait, Drum Solo, Little Guitars, Dance The Night Away, Beautiful Girls, Women In Love, Hot For Teacher, In A Simple Rhyme, Dirty Movies, Ice Cream Man, Unchained, Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love, Guitar Solo, You Really Got Me, Panama, Jump
The free event takes place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 (rain date is Sunday, Sept. 13) and offers a family friendly mix of musical styles that involve percussion, such as rock, jazz, classical, African, reggae and more. As indicated in the festival name, all performances will highlight percussion instruments.
Performing this year is the legendary jazz percussionist Jack DeJohnette, who is also on the board of advisors for the event. DeJohnette, a legend himself, has also been a sideman for such performers as Miles Davis, Bill Evans and Stan Getz. His drumming style has been described by Modern Drummer magazine as “beyond technique.”
Legendary Jack DeJohnette holding a clinic at a past Drum Boogie Festival in Woodstock, NY
Other performers include NEXUS, NYU Steel Drum Band, Valerie Naranjo and The Big Takeover Reggae Band, seen here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSJlWsfl-cE
Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and plan to spend the day. Food vendors will be on site as well.
The free, biennial festival, directed by Garry Kvistad of Woodstock Chimes, “presents world class talent while providing an opportunity for emerging or lesser known talent to perform together.” It was established to entertain, educate and enlighten while promoting percussion music from around the world. For more information, visit the festival’s website.
Todd Rundgren released his 25th album, Global, on April 7 and immediately set out on a 34 date North American tour. Having had the pleasure of seeing Todd in concert several times, reading some of the early reviews didn’t surprise me at all. If you expect to hear “I Saw The Light,” “Can We Still Be Friends” and “Hello, It’s Me,” TR never disappoints, but, he may make you wait and tease you a few times before giving in. I grabbed a couple of quotes from a good friend’s Facebook posting post-show, before delving deeper.
“Todd always brings his own cutting edge and set his own parameters, very few artists are this talented and confident. If fans struggle with change and evolution, they should choose another artist to follow.”
“It takes a lot of courage as a fan to follow him with an open-mind, but the rewards are worth the effort”, Tommy Allen.
“Just a killer show, filled with positive energy from the girls (The Global Singers) and the DJ (DaM FunK). Todd was in fantastic voice and delivered all of the songs with passion. The choreography and light show turned the whole thing into a very immersive experience. Don’t listen to the bad reviews on the internet, this is a very unique and futuristic show,” said Mark Doyle.
Honestly, it took several spins of Global to get the feel, but being familiar with his previous release, State, it warmed me quicker to the work. The opener, “Evrybody” sounds like a slap in the face to the entitled or a call to arms for the populace. Either way it sets the tone for the album. As on most albums, it’s all Todd, all of the time. Almost exactly the way he would take it on tour. “Flesh & Blood,” another EDM-like tome that pokes fun at DJs while showing what really can be done electronically with real lyrics that have something to say. The verses sting, the chorus, “You’ve got free will, but you’re flesh and blood” simplifies and drives the message. Keep in mind this man is one of the fathers of multi-media, usually several steps ahead of the game, ultimately disenfranchising some. A pity really. “Rise” is right to the heart of the state of things, yes, globally. He speaks directly to the Romanesque status of civilization, “Time’s ticking away, time keeps ticking away. If we don’t rise, then we will fall.” Pretty simple and right on the point. This leads into “Holyland,” a rhythmic adventure into the definition of what that is exactly. Everything. If this track doesn’t hit home, you’re simply not paying attention.
“Blind” slows the pace a blue-eyed, soulful bit and illuminates the false-flag of media. “I’m not a scientist, everybody likes to brag these days. And yet they still insist, twisting all the facts their way.” Directly aimed at climate-change deniers, god-trusting book wavers, that believe all will be taken care of for them, perhaps still on the entitled ones. Shielding their eyes from the reality in front of them. “You have to be blind, blind, blind. Eyes that will not see it. (Writing’s on the wall.)” “Earth Mother” kicks back into EDM as a anthemic call to action, from a Rosa Parks reference to the choruses repeated message, “Can I get a shout-out from my sisters, a shout out from my girls. Now go out there and change the world. “Global Nation” flows right into the theme of one world, one cause, one solution. “Calling out to the planet, calling out to the world. (Global Nation) I wanna wrap my arms around the world, wrap my arms around the world and dance.”
TR always has his moment when his heart bleeds out, “Soothe” is this record’s example. His lyrical emotions move you, the timbre of his wavering voice speaks directly to the listener, whomever it may be. Something TR does exquisitely. This is chicken-skin arms material. “Maybe I can’t make gray skies turn blue, but I can soothe you. When your lovers are untrue. And the whole world seems out to hurt you. Know that I would try, everything I knew, to soothe you. I will soothe you.” “Terra Firma” sequences forward analogously as a tale of the intrepid explorer casting-off to someplace unknown. With solid ground being the love and home he left behind, “I am off to great adventures, leaving you behind. Far beyond the border and I have no clue what I will find. But the thought of home never leaves my mind, no. Though the minutes stretch to hours and the hours stretch to days. With the trials and tribulations, well it seems like I’m so far away. And it’s just too high a price to pay. There’s one thing I can always say. Whenever I feel the rain I put my faith in terra firma. And I’m never far away, because you’re my terra firma. (terra firma) Whenever I feel alone, I go home to terra firma. (terra firma) The place I can call my own, because you’re my terra firma (terra firma).”
“Fate” poses destiny as a card game and addiction that everyone seemingly has. The future being out of our hands like a roulette wheel spinning out of control. No one wants to face up to the realities of our time, it’s easier to rely on fate than make an effort to change. Manifest destiny, worldwide. “Skyscraper” shines the light on the trappings of civilization. Buildings and cars, partying with friends, living in the moment with no regard for what’s ahead. “This Island Earth” closes and wraps it all up, neatly exposing what needs to be for change to happen, allowing the future a chance to exist beyond man’s current course. “There is no other place in this universe, like this island earth. We fantasize about this spoiling other planets, like this island earth.”
When taken as a whole, this album is yet another message from a very old soul, living on the cutting edge of technology. Drawing distinct lines between reality and fantasy, fate and destiny, what can and cannot be. A statement from one of the bravest, deepest songwriters of our time that is not to be ignored.
Of course TR has multiple platforms to read and learn from. Check out more on facebook and his website.
Key Tracks: They’re all key tracks, it’s Todd Rundgren! Check out “Terra Firma” and “Soothe,” they crush.
As easy as it is to completely relax, The Nth Power begin to play and immediately energize the entire venue. A mix of funk, soul, rock, R&B and gospel, the group also blends a world beat into their unique and sexy tunes. Although only having formed a few years ago at Jazz Fest in New Orleans, this band – which happens to feature drummer Nikki Glaspie, (Dumpstaphunk, Beyoncé) – could easily become the next Lettuce.
